Earthquakes' Chris Wondolowski signs multiyear contract

SAN JOSE -- Earthquakes star Chris Wondolowski has signed a four-year contract, with the first year worth $600,000, Sports Illustrated reported Monday night, citing an unidentified source.

The Danville native, once considered a journeyman striker in Major League Soccer, becomes the Quakes' second Designated Player. His salary will increase in 2014, according to SI.com. The first three years of the deal are guaranteed.

An Earthquakes spokesman declined to comment late Monday because the league had yet to announce a deal. Unlike other American sports leagues, MLS signs the players instead of the teams.

Wondolowski, 30, tied the league single goal-scoring record last year with 27 and was the Most Valuable Player. His 61 regular-season goals from 2010-12 are the most for any player in MLS history over a three-year period.

Wondolowski made $300,000 last year, according to figures supplied by the MLS Players Union.

He has renegotiated his contract each of the past three seasons without using an agent. The De La Salle High alum said he didn't need an agent to work with the Quakes' management in contract negotiations.

Wondolowski is the team's only regular striker healthy for the season opener Sunday against Real Salt Lake.